POWER consumers with a sanctioned load of 100 kW or more may now generate, purchase, and consume green energy, including energy from waste-to-energy plants, through open access as the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution (MSEDCL) has recentlyissuednew guidelines to implement Green Energy Open Access (GEOA). It will be applicable to new consumers aswell as the existing ones.Asper thenew guidelines, consumers with a contract demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more can access green energy through open access, provided they meet specific metering requirements. This equitable approach, mandating a Special Energy Meter for High Tension Consumers and a ToD meter for Low Tension Consumers, ensures fairness for all. However, the access will be restricted with specific conditions for multiple connections within the same electricity circle. Earlier, consumers with a sanctioned load of 1000 kW or more were eligible for it.

 

The GreenOpenAccessRules, 2022 allows consumers to generate, purchase, and consume green energy, including energy from waste-to-energy plants, through open access. There are special provisions forcaptiveconsumersandconditions for open-access consumers sourcing power from renewable energy generators. The Maharashtra State Load Despatch Center has been appointed as the nodal agency forshort-termopenaccess,and the State Transmission Utility has been appointed for Medium-Term and long-term open access. There is an exemption from cross subsidy and additional surcharges. The regulations also exempt power sourced from non-fossil-based wasteto-energy plants and green energy used to produce green hydrogen and ammonia from cross-subsidy and additional surcharges. In addition there are additional exemptions for offshore wind projects commissioned up to December 2032, and GEOA consumers who pay fixedcharges.Bankingcharges have been set at 8 per cent of the energy banked. Any unutilized surplus banked energy will lapse at the end of each banking cycle, and they will be eligible to receive renewable energy certificates for the lapsed energy